Compare Regulations
Compare city/county requirements side-by-side (up to 4 jurisdictions)
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Compare city/county requirements side-by-side (up to 4 jurisdictions)
Rows with an amber indicator differ across selections.
| Field | Local City of Austin City of Austin Watershed Protection Department (WPD) | Local City of Houston / Harris County Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) for drainage design; City of Houston PWE for right-of-way and detention |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | ||
| Permit / Authorization | Drainage Criteria Manual Authorization (site plan / grading permit) | Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) Permit + City of Houston Drainage Permit |
| Submit To | City of Austin Watershed Protection Department (WPD) | Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) for drainage design; City of Houston PWE for right-of-way and detention |
| Lead Time | Variable — site plan approval required before grading permit issuance; plan review typically 2–6 weeks | Drainage design review: 4–8 weeks typical; Harris County review for HCFCD-regulated channels can take 6–12 weeks |
| Application Method | Online via Austin Build + Connect (ABC) portal (abc.austintexas.gov); paper submittals accepted at Development Services Department | City: ProjectDox online plan review portal (houston.permitsmarts.com); HCFCD: paper submittals to HCFCD offices |
| Fee | Based on project size and impervious cover; grading permit fee schedule at AustinTexas.gov/BuildingPermits | City of Houston drainage permit fee based on project type; HCFCD review fee varies by project complexity (typically $500–$5,000+) |
| Water Quality | ||
| Impervious Cover Limit | Varies by watershed: 15% in Barton Springs Zone (BSZ); 25% in Water Supply Rural (WSR); 40% in Water Supply Suburban (WSS); no citywide cap in urban watersheds (some Water Quality Transition Zones apply) | No citywide impervious cover cap (Houston has no traditional zoning); however, detention required for any net increase in runoff |
| On-Site Treatment Required | Yes | No |
| Detention Required | Yes — 2-year and 100-year storm detention required for increases in impervious cover; water quality volume (WQv) capture required; bioretention, wet ponds, or cisterns typical | Yes — Detention required for net increase in impervious cover; must attenuate 100-year storm to pre-development rates per Harris County Criteria (post-Harvey requirements significantly strengthened in 2018–2020); many projects must also meet 500-year storm attenuation in designated areas |
| Turbidity / Discharge Standard | No numeric NTU limit in local ordinance; discharges must comply with TCEQ TXR150000 and not cause erosion or visible turbidity in receiving creeks | No local numeric NTU limit; TCEQ TXR150000 narrative standard applies; drainage permit requires construction BMPs per City of Houston Infrastructure Design Manual |
| SWPPP | ||
| SWPPP / Local Plan Required | Yes — Erosion & Sedimentation Control (ESC) Plan, required as part of grading permit package | Yes — Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) per TCEQ; City requires ESC notes on grading plans |
| PE Stamp Required | Yes | Yes |
| Inspections | ||
| Inspection Requirements | City of Austin WPD conducts periodic site inspections separate from TCEQ. Inspections triggered by complaints or during storm events. Grading permit requires a final stabilization inspection before close-out. | City of Houston PWE inspects drainage and grading installations. HCFCD inspects permitted work within or adjacent to HCFCD-maintained channels. Construction inspections required before final certificate of occupancy. |
| Inspector Qualification | No additional city-specific certification beyond TCEQ requirements; however, the PE-of-record is responsible for ESC plan compliance | PE-of-record responsible for drainage design compliance; no additional city-specific inspector certification required beyond TCEQ |
| Design & Zones | ||
| Local Design Manual | City of Austin Drainage Criteria Manual (DCM) | Harris County Flood Control District Policy, Criteria and Procedure Manual (PCPM) + City of Houston Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) |
| Special Overlay Zones | Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ), Water Quality Transition Zone (WQTZ), Barton Springs Zone (BSZ) / Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone, Erosion Hazard Zone (EHZ), Floodplain | FEMA Floodway / Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) Channel Setback, Subsidence-Affected Area |